Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, $560,412,000

Administered Items for the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, $7,928,000

Membership:

Mr Speirs substituted for Mr Pederick.

Mr Goldsworthy substituted for Mr Bell.

Minister:

Hon. G.G. Brock, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government.

Departmental Advisers:

Mr S. Moseley, General Manager, Information and Strategy Directorate, Development Division, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

Ms A. Hart, Acting Manager, Office of Local Government, Information and Strategy Directorate, Development Division, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

Mr B. Cagialis, Chief Finance Officer, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

The CHAIR: Welcome to the Minister for Local Government. I declare the proposed payments open for examination and I refer members to portfolio statement, Volume 3. I call on the minister now to make a statement if he wishes and to introduce his new advisers.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Thank you, Mr Chair. I would just like to introduce the people alongside of me: Mr Stuart Moseley, General Manager of the Planning Division, DPTI; on my left hand side is Alex Hart, Acting Manager, Planning Division, Office of Local Government; and on the far side is Bill Cagialis, Chief Finance Officer for DPTI.

The Office of Local Government is in the formation of the strategic directorate of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and is a small and responsive unit that provides advice to the Minister for Local Government on the constitution and operations of the local government system, including the legislative framework of governing councils; the relationship between the state government and councils and other associated representative groups; whole of government policy and legislative frameworks as they affect local government; and the statutory authorities that are responsible to the minister for local government.

These statutory authorities are the Local Government Grants Commission and the Outback Communities Authority. The government is committed to ensuring that the framework for the operations of the local government sector is as effective as it can be. I recently introduced the Local Government (Accountability and Governance) Amendment Bill 2015 into parliament to address a range of proposals for improving the Local Government Act of 1999, including some that have accumulated over the past couple of years and others that have arisen during my term to date as the minister.

The bill contains proposals to amend local government legislation to improve local government accountability and governance, implement recommendations made by the South Australian Ombudsman and make miscellaneous amendments to achieve a more consistent and contemporary legislative framework for the local government sector. The bill also makes a number of technical amendments to and clarifications of existing provisions, together with important changes that will seek to clarify the conflict of interest provisions of the 1999 act.

In December 2014, a discussion paper was jointly released by the Office of Local Government and the Local Government Association for the purpose of promoting discussion and ideas on the reform of the conflict of interest provisions. Consultation on the paper attracted significant support for amendment to the provisions, notably by providing clarity in relation to routine matters and the difference between actual and perceived conflicts of interest.

The bill has been extensively consulted upon, but now is the time to progress these necessary reforms to the local government legislative framework. South Australia has a long tradition of constructive working relationships between the state and local government for the benefit of a shared constituency. In the past year, the government has reinvigorated the Premier's State/Local Government Forum, in keeping with my agreement as the member for Frome with the Premier, and has finalised a revised State/Local Government Relations Agreement.

The Premier's State/Local Government Forum provides the opportunity to bring together leaders of state and local government through the Local Government Association, to deal with issues of mutual concern. The forum is held four times a year: an annual formal meeting and three times a year as a core group of executive members to oversee and progress matters. Topics of discussion have included local government reform, local government finances, road funding for South Australia, economic development and regional development.

A revised State/Local Government Relations Agreement was signed by the Premier and the president of the LGA at a forum executive meeting on 28 January 2015, witnessed by myself as Minister for Local Government. The agreement recognises the need for state and local government to work collaboratively to achieve better outcomes for all South Australian communities through the improved efficiency, effectiveness and coordination of state services and infrastructure.

A schedule of priorities for 2015-16 has also been developed, which highlights agreed annual priorities that are to be advanced in a spirit of cooperation and in the best interests of the South Australian community. These priorities include local government reform, such as models for regional delivery and governance, investigating a greater role for the local government in delivering key local infrastructure in collaboration between the two spheres of government in implementing the state government's economic plan. I look forward to building on a constructive relationship with local government by progressing matters of mutual interest and enhancing the intergovernmental cooperation.

Mr GRIFFITHS: To the minister, given that we both have some background there and, I believe, a level of mutual respect for what local government does, can I support the minister's words. I think we should all be proud of the fact that Adelaide City Council has celebrated its 175^th anniversary in South Australia as the first council, probably, in the nation. For it to occur four years after the settlement of the state is indeed an achievement. The numbers have gone up and down. In the Depression era, certainly, a lot of councils went by the wayside then through amalgamation, up to 137, then 118, now down to 68, so the numbers have changed a fair bit.

Legislative review is an important part of that, so I appreciate the fact that the minister put on the record some of the history behind the bill that he has introduced in the parliament, which is unlikely to be debated this week as I understand it; I do not think it is on the schedule but it will be some time in the future. I will point you to a reference, Mr Chair: there is only one page and six lines about local government in the budget, and that is on pages 79 and 80 of Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, so all of my questions relate to that area—plus the fertile mind which can find a link somehow.

I am intrigued, though: as part of the preliminary briefings that you were good enough to provide me with about the bill that has been introduced into the parliament, and I am grateful for that, there was a clause in there about the transfer of housing stock to NGOs from Housing SA and then some issues related to the rebate that local government has to provide of 75 per cent of the rates on the basis that those groups apply for it.

Therefore, minister, given that in your opening statement you referred to the bill at some length, can you provide for the record details as to why the draft bill that you showed me included a clause that would deal with that, but that was removed when the bill was finally put before the parliament?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Thank you, Mr Chair. Just for the two new members, both my ears are blocked so if you can bear with me when you ask questions, alright? You were not here before; my ears are completely blocked today. It is just that the two members here are staring at me as if there is something wrong.

The CHAIR: Maybe their ears are blocked as well!

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I thank the member for Goyder for his question. Under section 161 of the Local Government Act 1999, community service organisations that provide community housing are eligible for a 75 per cent reduction in council rates. However, former SA Housing Trust (SAHT) properties did not receive the council rate rebate with full council rates payable by the relevant state agency.

In conjunction with the commonwealth, the state government has approved the transfer of approximately 5,000 SAHT properties to the community housing sector. I am advised that 1,100 of those properties are currently in the process of being transferred. If all of the transferred properties were immediately eligible for the 75 per cent rate rebate, this could be a significant revenue shock to the affected councils. Accordingly, a previous minister for social housing agreed to remove the 75 per cent rate rebate eligibility through contractual arrangements with the community housing providers for the first 1,100 homes to be transferred.

During the process of developing the Local Government (Accountability and Governance) Amendment Bill 2015, there was a proposal to amend section 161 of the act to address any impact on council rates through the future transfer of properties. However, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, the honourable John Rau MP, has advised me that he intends to continue to consider the question of the application of council rate rebates on a case-by-case basis through contractual arrangements with community housing providers.

He has also advised me that he is committed to working with the affected councils and the Local Government Association to discuss the terms of any future transfers from SAHT properties to the non-government sector. Any further questions on this matter should be directed to the minister responsible for the South Australian Housing Trust Act 1995, the Hon. John Rau MP,

Mr GRIFFITHS: I seek clarification and thank the minister for the details. Indeed, the reason I posed the question to you, minister, is the fact that it was part of a bill that you introduced in the house and that you have spoken about today. Is it, therefore, a fact that that aspect of it is not your portfolio responsibility and it is the Hon. John Rau's, or was a decision opportunity taken away from you and used by another minister, then?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: The consultation with the member for Goyder on the draft bill preceded consideration of the issue by cabinet and the provision of assurances by the Minister for Housing and Urban Development after that—which was minister John Rau. I will read part of the letter to me as the Minister for Local Government from the Hon. John Rau MP. It states:

My position is to enable the rates rebate to form part of the contractual negotiations on a case by case basis that considers both benefit and costs for each local council and the community.

As the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, I am committed to continue working with the Local Government Association and Councils regarding the terms of transfer for the next 3,900 homes to ensure the impacts are managed and opportunities for the mutual benefit of vulnerable people, local communities and local government are created.

The CHAIR: The member for Elder, you have been very patient.

Mr GRIFFITHS: Have I had three questions?

The CHAIR: You have had more than three questions.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I thought it was two, actually.

The CHAIR: Let me clarify: there is some leniency. There are no supplementary questions in an estimates committee hearing. I could assess it to be about eight or nine questions but I called it three.

Ms DIGANCE: I refer the committee to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, portfolio statement, pages 79 to 80. What initiatives are being undertaken to strengthen the relationship between state and local government?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: The government is committed to maintaining strong and productive working relationships with the local government sector in South Australia. There is no question that there are substantial benefits to be had for the state as a whole and the communities within the state from a constructive relationship between the two sectors of government. The relationship between the state and local government is based on mutual respect and a commitment to cooperative and productive work on issues of mutual importance.

In the past year the government has finalised a revised state/local government relations agreement which we will call 'the agreement' and reinvigorated the Premier's State/Local Government Forum, which we will call 'the forum'. The agreement and the forum are two of the formal mechanisms which will be underpinning the relationship between the state and local governments in South Australia.

A revised agreement was signed by the Premier and the President of the Local Government Association at the Premier's State/Local Government Forum executive meeting on 28 January 2015—as I said earlier, witnessed by me as the Minister for Local Government. The agreement recognises the need for state and local government to work collaboratively to achieve better outcomes for all South Australian communities through the improved efficiency, effectiveness and coordination of state services and infrastructure.

A schedule of priorities for 2015-16 has also been developed which highlights agreed annual priorities that are to be advanced in the spirit of cooperation and in the best interests of the South Australian community. These priorities include local government reform, regional deliverance and governance, utilisation of local government equity and the state government's 10 economic priorities.

The forum provides advice on matters of priority to both the state and local government that requires the cooperation of both sectors of government to reach effective resolution. The Premier chairs the forum and members include leaders and administrators of local government and state sectors. As Minister for Local Government, I am a member of that forum. As Minister for Local Government I am keen to ensure that the forum is a valuable mechanism which meets the needs of both sectors.

The forum met on 26 September 2014 and forum executive meetings were held on 28 January 2015 and also 29 April 2015. The next forum executive meeting is scheduled for 16 September this year. A communique which provides a summary of outcomes is released after each forum meeting and is available on the Office of Local Government's website. I am looking forward to building on the constructive relationship with local government by progressing matters of mutual interest and enhancing intergovernmental cooperation.

The Hon. P. CAICA: I refer to the second page of this component of Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, portfolio statement, page 80. What progress has been made in revising the codes of conduct for elected members and council employees?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I thank the honourable member for his question. The codes of conduct for council members and council employees came into operation as part of the amendments made to the Local Government Act by the introduction of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption in South Australia. The code of conduct for council members came into operation on 1 September 2013, while the council employees code of conduct came into effect on 13 February 2014.

As the mandatory codes were a new concept in South Australia, it was always intended that a review of the operation of the codes would be undertaken after they had been in place for a reasonable period of time. I am aware that some issues have been raised by elected members and staff about some aspects of the codes implementation in practice.

In June 2014 I initiated consultation with key stakeholders with regard to reviewing the operation of the codes of conduct. I sought comments from the Local Government Association, which has coordinated comments from councils, the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, the Ombudsman and the relevant employee organisations. In addition to meeting with the LGA, I have discussed the operation of the codes with the ICAC Commissioner, the Ombudsman and employee representatives, the ASU and the AWU.

Feedback on the operation of the codes of conduct has been carefully reviewed, and I anticipate that any necessary codes amendments will be finalised in the second half of this year. The new codes will be prepared in the form of draft regulations, and there will be an opportunity for councils and other interested parties to comment on the proposed wording of the regulations. I think it is helpful to keep in mind that the purpose of these codes is not to impose undue burdens on those seeking to participate in the local government sector but rather to provide a uniform framework for both council members and employees to adhere to in relation to good public administration.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I refer to page 79 and have two questions as part of your response. You talked about constructive relationship and spirit of cooperation. It was rather a surprise to find in the budget papers the impost of a $1 million extractive royalties cost for local government. Can the minister confirm, as part of the budget process, when he was first told about this new fee?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Questions regarding this matter should be referred to the Treasurer and Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Hon. Tom Koutsantonis MP. From 1 July 2015 the local government is liable to pay extractive royalties where the land being mined is not covered by a permit, a claim lease, licence, tenement or a private mine under the Mining Act 1971.

The LGA has expressed concerns regarding the impact of this measure, particularly on small regional councils. I understand that the LGA has surveyed councils on possible cost imposts and is intending to raise this matter with the Treasurer. The LGA has noted that section 294 of the Local Government Act enables councils to obtain earth, minerals, or timber from land to carry out a function or responsibility of the council, including road work.

However, I understand that the former department of manufacturing, innovation, trade, resources and energy received legal advice that states that own use is not an exception to the obligation to pay royalties imposed by subsection 7(1) of the Mining Act 1971. The LGA and councils may seek further advice on the application of section 294 of the Local Government Act as part of their ongoing discussion on this issue with the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy.

Mr GRIFFITHS: If I may, Chair, just seek clarification. Minister, I did ask when did you first become aware of it?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I would have been advised, and I stand to be corrected, through the normal budget process through cabinet, but I cannot recall the exact time.

Mr GRIFFITHS: Minister, I thank you for that. I am aware that the Local Government Association has spoken to the Minister for Mineral Resources. I have had some feedback on that. I suppose the dilemma for me, though, and the frustration that I have—and I know that no decision timing is perfect—is that, in this case, all 68 councils had actually determined their rates for the 2015-16 year and then there was this additional cost put upon regional LGAs. I presume that regional LGAs and the LGA have spoken to the minister. Have they asked you to advocate on their behalf with the Minister for Mineral Resources about it also?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I have had regular meetings with the President of the Local Government Association, and they are asking for more information through the relevant minister. The LGA are getting more information back to myself about the true impact on councils that will be out there. If I can, I will just refer to Hansard on 30 June 2015. The member for Goyder has indicated that he was told that the estimate provided to him from staff within the Yorke Peninsula council was $150,000. My information is that the impact on the Yorke Peninsula council will be $11,000.

Mr GRIFFITHS: For the interest of disclosure, I have a very good head for numbers, and the $150,000 quote I got came from the mayor of that council. I noted when I saw the LGA report of the summary of the councils that they contacted that Yorke Peninsula was the smaller compared to the figure that I was told also. I do know that there is a variety of figures across the area, too.

If I may ask a question, though, and this is page 79, about the Local Government Association in its ordinary general meeting having voted on a position that the minister be required to ensure that impact statements upon local government are prepared as part of the cabinet process. Do you have a position on that, has that been communicated to you, and have you followed that through the process to see if it is achievable?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: That discussion was brought up at one of the Premier's local government forums. The member for Goyder is probably aware of all this. The intent from that was to ensure that government agencies consult with the relevant local government agencies from there as required.

Mr GRIFFITHS: So, has anything stemmed from that?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: My memory of the discussion of that is that the emphasis was on the councils to actually liaise closely. I think that is still going at the moment. The agreement itself articulates the aspirations of the two spheres of government with the aim of delivering greater benefits for the South Australian community through more strategic collaboration. It is in two parts: the agreement itself, which sets out the principles of engagement between the local and state governments, and a schedule of priorities. That will continue to happen, but certainly it was discussed at that forum.

Mr GRIFFITHS: In relation to the emergency services levy, which is also charged upon local government, have you been provided with a dollar figure about the impost from the changes for the remission removal from the 2014-15 financial year and the 2015-16 financial year?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Can I ask member: are you talking about the 2015-16 budget?

Mr GRIFFITHS: That was my question: the 2014-15 result and the 2015-16 estimate.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: As the member would know, this matter is very important to regional areas, but this is under a different portfolio and, to my recollection, I have not had anything come in. The LGA have not raised that with me for the 2015-16 budget year. The LGA have not given me any details at all, from memory.

Mr PICTON: I refer to the same budget papers, and ask the minister: following the local government elections in 2014, what action is being taken to improve the operation of local government elections?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Thank you, Mr Chair, and I thank the member for his question. As members of the committee are aware, the local government elections were held in November 2014. At those elections, the average statewide voter turnout was 31.99 per cent, which is essentially on par with previous elections, and indeed with voter turnout in most systems which involve a voluntary voting process.

I am advised that, before the introduction of postal voting in local government elections in 1997, the rate of voter participation in contested elections rarely exceeded 20 per cent. Since 2000, when postal voting was used statewide for the first time, participation rates have been consistently above 30 per cent. However, after the peak year of 2000, when 40.1 per cent of voters participated, the percentage has dropped to: in 2003, 32.67; in 2006, 31.62; in 2010, 32.88; and at the most recent local government elections in 2014, 31.99.

As the member for Goyder will certainly appreciate, rural councils have consistently achieved higher rates of voter participation than metropolitan and provincial city councils. In the 2014 local government elections, the average metropolitan turnout was 27.74 per cent, compared with 43.28 for non-metropolitan councils—this being broadly consistent with previous years.

At the 2014 local government elections, 1,334 people nominated to stand as candidates, which was the highest number of candidates since the council amalgamations in the late 1990s. Of these candidates, 28.56 per cent were women, which is the highest proportion of women candidates to stand in local government elections. This flowed through to elected members, with a record 206 (29.35 per cent) won by women. But of course there is still more to do to get the balance right. It is a matter of gender equity for sure, but I think it would also bring real benefits to our communities to have many more women effectively involved in local government.

At the moment the Office of Local Government, the Electoral Commission and the Local Government Association are reviewing and evaluating the voter turnout rate and the operation of elections. The joint officer level review is focusing on specific matters that will improve the operation of the elections as well as voter turnout, rather than a broad examination of all systematic and policy-based matters, which has previously been undertaken. These matters include: the possibility of electronic voting in local government elections; automatic property franchise entitlement; caretaker provisions; concurrent timing of state and local government elections; candidates' access to electronic copies of the voter roll; and the disclosure of a candidate's residential addresses.

A discussion paper will soon be circulated to councils and stakeholders for comment. The Local Government Association and the Electoral Commission will also be invited to provide a formal submission on the matters raised in the discussion paper. I also invite the member for Goyder, and indeed all members of parliament, to take the opportunity to provide feedback on these matters.

I anticipate that the review of the 2014 local government elections will be completed in 2015-16 and I look forward to considering any proposals that can strengthen the elections process and improve outcomes for our communities. Any necessary legislative amendments will be consulted upon and considered in time for the next local government elections in 2018.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I appreciate the good, detailed answer. Indeed, the numbers on voter turnouts in different periods interest me. You have talked about the review and the automatic property ownership franchise entitlement, and I am interested in that. Because you have invited me to have input in that, I have to ask the question: why, when I introduced a private member's bill earlier this year, did the government choose not to support it?

It would have removed the requirement for the re-enrolment to occur because enrolments at the end of the four-year cycle have to go, and from 1 January following an election year you have to start again, particularly when supplementary elections are held. I know Yankalilla council, I believe it was, held a supplementary election. Very little time was given because of the loss of that carry-forward and the turnout was very disappointing. To me, it is a monty, minister. I am intrigued as to why the private member's bill was not supported and why it is now one of the discussions points in the paper. Why wasn't there serious consideration earlier?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: A change of that nature requires consultation in the normal way. The member for Goyder is very aware that there was a short period of time. It is an option that may emerge from the current review. At that particular period of time it did not warrant the support of the LGA itself.

Mr GRIFFITHS: No, that is incorrect, minister. The Local Government Association did support me.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: If I can, we are going to have a complete review of this. As I said before and as I indicated to the member for Goyder, I will give him credit if we bring it back. The point is that I want to be able to do true consultation out there and do the whole lot in one hit.

Mr GRIFFITHS: If I may continue with the same budget reference, this question is about council rates. I asked a question in last year's budget estimates on this and the understanding of the CPI level that exists in South Australia. I understand that there is a local government Consumer Price Index calculation that occurs also.

The percentage increases vary considerably, from Adelaide City Council—which I believe is 0 per cent—out to figures, in some cases I believe, of 8 per cent; however, it is more in the mainstream of the 3.5 to 4 per cent increases in council rate income. The question I asked last year was, from the minister's point of view, about initiatives that you have instigated to attempt to keep rate increases to an absolute minimum. Are you able to provide the committee with an update on what your responsibility as a minister has allowed, and give details on initiatives that you have undertaken in that time?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Local government, as a whole, recorded an operating surplus of $19 million in 2013-14, after adjusting for timing changes which occurred in the receipt of the FAGs grants. The sector's annual financial performance has improved steadily over the last decade, and the operating surplus of $19 million in 2013-14 compares with an operating deficit of $75 million in 2000-01.

As we are all aware, before setting their rates each year councils are required to adopt an annual business plan and a budget and rating strategy between 1 June and 31 August. Since 2007 each council has been required, as the member knows, to go through a process of producing a draft annual business plan and consulting the community on the proposed spending and revenue requirements of that draft plan. Each council must take into account the views expressed by its residents and ratepayers before finalising its annual business plan and spending rates.

I have always encouraged councils and community groups to comment on council annual business plan spending and revenue requirements and rating options. This assists each council to strike an appropriate balance between providing the services and infrastructure that the community demands and the revenue needed to pay for it. The act also provides ratepayers with a number of mechanisms to object to an increase in rates or to seek relief through the application of submissions for rebates or caps.

Mr GRIFFITHS: Thank you for the answer, minister, but I suppose many of those issues relate to arrangements put in place some time ago. I am particularly interested in the question, now that you have been minister since March last year, of what initiatives, under your stewardship, have been created to keep rate increases to an absolute minimum.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I have indicated before that the councils themselves have to go through public consultation and things like that. I have been out there, and I have been encouraging councils to resource share the opportunities; by doing that they will be able to keep their expenditure or rates down a fair bit. Councils out there need to provide the services that their communities expect.

It was interesting that in 2003 some councils went up 15 per cent; in years after that other councils were 6 per cent, 6 per cent, and 7 per cent. The issue is that councils need to raise that amount of funds if they are going to increase their services and opportunities in each of the regions. If they are not providing the services they have the mechanism, as the member for Goyder knows, to ask for a review of the capital value. Certainly, it is an issue that the councils themselves need to have the funds to be able to grow and get the extra opportunities. Councils are ultimately responsible to their community for the decisions they make, the services they provide and the rates they set, and they have elected members to be able to go back to discuss those issues.

Ms DIGANCE: Staying in the same area that the questioning has been occurring in, can the minister tell the committee what steps are being taken to engage with local government at the council and regional level?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I thank the member for her question. I am continuing to make it a key part of my business to meet with all our councils while I am the Minister for Local Government. I believe as much face-to-face contact as possible is the best way to communicate and to get a better understanding of the challenges councils are facing, and to talk with those community leaders about opportunities that are presenting themselves. It has always been a contention of mine that council members and staff are the closest to the people and are in a unique position to convey to me the views and needs of the people they serve.

There are 68 councils in South Australia, with about two-thirds being in non-metropolitan locations. I also work very closely with the Outback Communities Authority to support their important work assisting those communities in the non-council areas. I have had personal contact with about 62 of the 68 SA councils so far and invitations to arrange specific visits have been issued to more councils just recently, those being Burnside, Light Regional, Playford, Mitcham and Unley. Another two councils, Coober Pedy and Roxby Downs, are included in the schedule for an upcoming visit I intend to make to the Far North of the state.

Of course, over the period of me being a minister, I have met members and staff from all councils, particularly at LGA events, including the AGM, the OGM, regional LGA meetings, SAROC, Metropolitan Local Government Group meetings, local government managers' conferences and a range of LGA seminars. I also attend meetings of the Upper Spencer Gulf MPs and mayors' group, and bodies like the Yorke Peninsula Lions and the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group.

I have been very pleased with the positive response the government has received through holding country cabinets, with a key part of these events being the opportunity for the relevant councils to make presentations directly to cabinet members about the opportunities and the challenges they each face. Likewise, from the metropolitan councils' perspective, the community cabinet program has allowed the same kind of opportunities for metropolitan councils to present directly to cabinet ministers and for the ministers to visit local businesses, schools and community organisations during that cabinet visit.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I have a question about the Local Excellence Expert Panel, the group chaired by Mr Greg Crafter, which prepared a rather extensive report about the future of local government. I am looking for feedback from you on any of the recommendations or initiatives contained in that report that you are investigating further.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I thank the member again for his question. These issues are always being discussed at the Premier's local government forums, including how we can have boundary facilitation and regional governance, as well as matters of priority for both state and local government that require the cooperation of both sectors of government to reach effective resolution, including from the Crafter review. We are continuing to look at that and certainly it is being discussed at the Premier's local government forum on a regular basis.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I might just seek clarification. Are recommendations from that going to form any of the work that you undertake as part of your significant review of the Local Government Act 1999, which you flagged with me is to occur next year?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Thank you, Mr Chair and to the member. Yes, it may form part of it. It depends on the consultation of the review, the Greg Crafter report. As I think the member for Goyder would agree, the consultation needs to be part of the LGA, and I will also continue to look at that opportunity. I am sure that as we move along we will continue to keep the member for Goyder, as the shadow minister for local government, involved as much as we can.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I would appreciate that, minister. I have a question about the Premier's State/Local Government Forum then, because I know the election commitment in 2014 was for three meetings to be held per year, and now you have changed to a different structure of one actual meeting and then the executive meetings. Why the change?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Thank you to the member for Goyder. The first 12 months have been a learning phase, and from the discussion through the LGA and through these meetings it was decided that that is the way it would be. However, this year we will have three executives and one forum. We find this a more effective way to get the real results and drive outcomes. Certainly, from where we are currently at the moment, there will be three executives and one forum in the 2015-16 year.

Mr GRIFFITHS: You offered for me to be part of processes before it comes to reviews and that sort of thing, and I think stemming from that I wrote a letter to you asking if it was possible for me to be an attendee at the forums or the executive meetings, but I do not believe I have had any form of reply to that.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: That is a matter for the Premier and I will take that on board.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I wrote to you, minister.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I cannot recall receiving a letter from you.

Mr GRIFFITHS: You will pursue that for me; I am grateful for that. Can I just seek clarification on why it took, as I understand it, 10 months for the State/Local Government Relations Agreement to be signed and released? You talked about the 28 January date, I believe it was. Why was it 10½ months after the March 2014 election before the agreement was reached and signed?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: To my recollection and my information, there was a time frame in agreeing with the processes and things like that. I cannot give you anything other than that there, but the agreement has been signed and the operation of the Premier's State/Local Government Forum is going very well, and we need to also continue to look to the future.

The CHAIR: Member for Goyder, you have 5 minutes to read your omnibus, if there is one.

Mr GRIFFITHS: It will not take me that long; I read quickly.

The CHAIR: Fair enough. I am very strict with the time.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I understand. This is the last session; I do understand that. May I ask probably my last question about—and I believe I asked you the same one in estimates of last year—the emergency management council, of which you are a member. Can you confirm that the council has met in the last 12 months and that you were an attendee?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: There are two committees. Last year there was a bit of confusion. There is the emergency management committee and the emergency management council. I am on the EMC.

Mr GRIFFITHS: They are both EMC, sir.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Well I am on the council and, yes, in actual fact I have another meeting this Friday.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Can I ask a supplementary; is that a cabinet committee?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Yes it is; it is a cabinet committee but I have a meeting on Friday and they are regularly done.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I will read the omnibus questions, Mr Chair, and then we will see how we go and how much time is left.

1. Will the minister provide a detailed breakdown of expenditure on consultants and contractors above $10,000 in 2014-15 for all departments and agencies reporting to the minister listing the name of the consultant, contractor or service supplier, cost, work undertaken and method of appointment?

2. For each department or agency reporting to the minister in 2014-15, please provide the number of public servants broken down into heads and FTEs that are (1) tenured and (2) on contract and, for each category, provide a breakdown of the number of (1) executives and (2) non-executives.

3. In the financial year 2014-15, for all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, what underspending on projects and programs (1) was and (2) was not approved by cabinet for carryover expenditure in 2015-16?

4. Between 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2015, will the minister list the job title and total employment cost of each position with a total estimated cost of $100,000 or more—(1) which has been abolished and (2) which has been created?

5. For each department or agency reporting to the minister, please provide a breakdown of attraction, retention and performance allowances as well as non-salary benefits paid to public servants and contractors in the years 2013-14 and 2014-15.

6. For each year of the forward estimates, provide the name and budget of all grant programs administered by all departments and agencies reporting to the minister and, for 2014-15, provide a breakdown of expenditure on all grants administered by all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, listing the name of the grant recipient, the amount of the grant and the purpose of the grant, and whether the grant was subject to a grant agreement as required by Treasurer's Instruction 15.

7. For each year of the forward estimates, provide the name and budget for each individual program administered by or on behalf of departments and agencies reporting to the minister.

8. For each year of the forward estimates, provide the name and budget for each individual investing expenditure project administered by or on behalf of all departments and agencies reporting to the minister.

9. For each department or agency reporting to the minister, what is the budget for targeted voluntary separation packages for the financial years included in the forward estimates by year and how are these packages to be funded?

10. What is the title and total employment cost of each individual staff member in the minister's office as at 30 June 2015, including all departmental employees seconded to ministerial offices and ministerial liaison officers?

The CHAIR: Good work. Excellent work, member for Goyder. You have a minute or so if you would like to ask another question.

Mr GRIFFITHS: Yes, certainly. This one is about the boundary adjustment facilitation panel which was one of those bodies that was removed. Can you outline how that process is undertaken now?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: The panel was abolished on 1 July 2015 and its functions have been transferred to me as Minister for Local Government. I will follow the requirements under the Local Government Act to consider all proposals in light of the principles that determine council areas and, importantly, to consult on proposals with affected councils and communities.

It is essential that I have all relevant information available to me when I am making a decision about a council boundary. I also intend to review the relevant section of the Local Government Act with a view of considering options for improving boundary adjustment processes to enable the system to deliver optimal benefits to communities in both the metropolitan and regional areas. Discussion on the review, which will be undertaken in close conjunction with the local government sector, has already commenced through the Premier's local government forum.

Mr GRIFFITHS: Minister, I know the LGA paper I viewed a couple of days ago talked about a commission or a commissioner advisory panel opportunity there. Have you got any thoughts on those options?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Member for Goyder, that is the LGA paper you are talking about?

Mr GRIFFITHS: Yes.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: My information is that they are still waiting for comments to come back from all the councils.

Mr GRIFFITHS: I still have some questions. Can you advise whether your office has been involved in assessing applications for the $15 million Local Government Stimulus Program? Was that something that your staff did?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I think that is through the minister, the Hon. John Rau, but we will take it on notice.

The CHAIR: Thank you for clarifying that, minister. With that, I declare the examination of the proposed payments for the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and administered items for the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure both in part completed.

At 18:15 the committee adjourned to Tuesday 28 July 2015 at 10:00.